The mental health crisis inside the detention centre on Christmas Island is now taking its toll on those who guard the asylum seekers, with one female employee attempting to take her life and a male considered at serious risk of self-harm.

The two Serco employees, whose distress was prompted by prolonged exposure to depressed and self-harming asylum seekers, have been flown to the mainland.

A welcome sign by management company Serco adorns the side of a building at Phosphate Hill Detention Centre on Christmas Island. Photo: Getty Images/Scott Fisher

Workers at the centre fear the situation will deteriorate further following the news that young children in mainland detention centres are to be released into the community, while those on the island face eventual transfer to indefinite detention on Nauru.

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Sources said the two employees had been ''on constant'', meaning they were required to prevent asylum seekers on suicide watch from self-harming for the duration of their 12-hour shifts. ''It really does their heads in because they're watching people trying to kill or harm themselves all the time,'' one insider told Fairfax Media.

''The pressure of being with clients, at arm's length, for 12 hours a shift with no relief and seeing slashings and attempted hangings is taking a toll,'' said another.

Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young, who was alerted to the situation by a Serco employee, said the plight of the guards represented ''a new chapter of misery'' in Australia's treatment of boat arrivals.

''These attempts by people to take their own lives on Christmas Island are not moral blackmail, as the Prime Minister has previously said. They are the result of the government's cruel and inhumane refugee policies,'' she said.

While a Serco spokesman would not comment on individual cases, he said precautions were taken where there were concerns.

''For our employees on Christmas Island, this might include supporting them to seek medical help, putting them on paid special leave, and flying them home from the island. We recognise that our staff do a difficult job in circumstances which are sometimes challenging, and we have a range of measures in place to support them.''

The removal of the workers comes after a recent spike in self-harm incidents on Christmas Island. Last month the Australian Human Rights Commission and a team of medical experts described a ''mental health crisis'' on the island, confirming multiple suicide attempts and self-harm incidents.

Commission president Professor Gillian Triggs said there were 13 mothers on suicide watch and their condition was deteriorating during her visit to the island as part of the commission's national inquiry into children in immigration.

For help or information call Suicide Helpline Victoria on 1300 651 251 or Lifeline on 131 114, or visit beyondblue.org.au

119 comments

Why can't we release all asylum seekers in community and give them permanent residence

Commenter

Carlton

Date and time

August 21, 2014, 7:13AM

Why not Give them permanent residence in Cambodia?

Commenter

Kingstondude

Location

Malaysia atm

Date and time

August 21, 2014, 8:19AM

Because the LNP in particular Scotty and supporters feel that would be a huge "pull factor", the bigger issue is that Scotty suggested that fleeing persection is about the asylum seeker after a safe haven. and not an economic upgrade

He for some reason believes Cambodia is a safer haven than Australia?

I do feel for staff at these centres it must be a thankless and heartbreaking task dealing with people who are being demonsied by the very country they seek sanctuary in.

Commenter

Buffalo Bill

Location

Sydneys Northshore

Date and time

August 21, 2014, 8:25AM

Because that would open the flood gates to economic refugees the world over?Where will they all be housed? Got room at your place?

Commenter

Tony H

Location

Sydney

Date and time

August 21, 2014, 8:54AM

Because we have no resources to feed, house, provide medical etc.There is 40 mln people around the world ready to come.Are YOU prepared to foot the bill?What about cohesion of the society? Do you believe, there would be no impact of such a high influx of different cultures, allegiances etc. on our society?Do you envisage an influx of another group of "disfranchised" and ready to riot believers in an idea - The West owes us ALL".Why do you want reward richer and go-getting people at a detriment of real refugees without money?Why do you want fund their stay here, when the Government is cutting spending on schools, health etc, because there is a large black hole in the budget left by Mr Swan and his masters?

Commenter

nailer

Location

sydeny

Date and time

August 21, 2014, 8:54AM

Thank god that TPV's will be a solution to this evil Labor/ Greens inspired issue, finding a solution to a problem of someone else's creation has been hard for the Libs but succeeding they are and keeping their word they will. I'm glad this shambles appears to have an end in sight!!

Commenter

Fallout

Date and time

August 21, 2014, 9:13AM

Because they jump the queue and come from relatively safe countries looking for better opportunities, while genuine refugees sit and wait in camps worried if they will see the next day. I have friends who have Persian and Lebanese backgrounds who make up many of these "asylum seekers" and they are the first to admit their is no immediate danger in these countries. Lebanon houses 1 million Syrian refugees. Yet none of them are on board the boats that try and get here. Why is that you think?

Commenter

Piped Piper

Date and time

August 21, 2014, 9:21AM

Buff Man

In respect to your closing sentence, I will reserve judgment until such time this story moves from Chinese Whispers or has a more verifiable source than SHY. Who knows, perhaps the employees like the work they are doing!

There is a touch of Swiss cheese thus far and I don't see the value in opening up the comments section as it is potentially unfair to those involved or still working there. This reminds me of the two Australians who applied to ads in the paper for Red Cross (or similar) and were then flown to Manus without any training and within days of applying.

Commenter

$keptic

Location

Melbourne

Date and time

August 21, 2014, 9:26AM

Spot on, Carlton. Putting aside the puerile commentary of 'why not Cambodia' etc, the point us that Australians engaging in child abuse as a tool of government policy. There is not and never can be, any justification for such despicable, reprehensible behaviour. It should also make it abundantly clear that any concern for asylum seeker lives by this government is ought but a facade to excuse actions that should be anathema to any decent, caring human being. Let's be clear. If any citizen engaged in behaviours or actions such as this government has and does, they would be charged with serious criminal offences and face potentially lengthy prison time. If the only recourse this, or any indeed government, beliefs it has is to knowingly engage in a process of wilful abuse of asylum seekers, and most especially children, it should be outcast and those designing and directing such policy should be charged and prosecuted the tullest extent.

Commenter

Warwick

Date and time

August 21, 2014, 9:29AM

Fallout

There are no TPVs ATM only Bridging Visas, and as far as im aware the TPVs from Scotty have a no work provision.